Red Line on Iran

Why Israel needs to draw the line.

Oct. 9, 2012 – In America, all events – domestic and foreign – are currently seen through the prism of the presidential elections. In Israel, though, our prism is not political but existential. Iran’s irrational rulers daily pledge to wipe us off the map while rapidly producing the nuclear capability to do it. Can they be stopped, we ask ourselves, and, if so, by whom? Is there still time?

The Iranian nuclear threat has been publicly discussed in Israel’s free press and keenly debated. Some argue that Iran has yet to produce a nuclear weapon and that Israel must not act alone. Others warn that time is running out and that Israel is duty-bound to defend itself. Irrespective of their differences, though, Israeli security experts agree that sanctions, though damaging to the Iranian economy, have not slowed Iran’s nuclear program. They agree that diplomacy, in spite of increasing flexibility in the international community’s bargaining position, has not produced a single Iranian concession. A nuclear-empowered Iran, Israeli commentators concur, presents not one but several existential threats to the Jewish state.

The most obvious threat is that Iran will mount a nuclear warhead on one of its many long-range missiles and fire it at Tel Aviv. Israelis scarcely believe that the regime that cleared mine fields with Iranian children, championed the suicide bomber, and planned a terrorist attack in Washington can be deterred by a Western nuclear umbrella. When even “moderate” Iranian leaders declare that they can destroy Israel with a single bomb, Israelis must take the radicals seriously. And when President Obama tells the United Nations that “a nuclear-armed Iran is a challenge that cannot be contained,” Israelis could not agree more.

Iran is the world’s foremost state sponsor of terror and if Iran gets the bomb, so, too, will terrorists. They can deliver that bomb in a ship container or a truck bound for any state targeted by Tehran without leaving Iranian fingerprints. Shielded by Iranian nuclear power, terrorists in Lebanon and Gaza can also devastate Israeli communities with tens of thousands of Iranian-supplied rockets.

Israel’s security establishment is certain that once Iran can quickly assemble a bomb other Middle East regimes will seek similar capabilities. As the region continues to roil, nuclear arsenals might fall into fanatical hands. The same extremists who recently attacked American embassies with grenades and automatic rifles could be armed with atomic weapons.

Anybody can debate the Iranian nuclear threat, but only Israel’s democratically elected leaders have the responsibility to decide how to best protect their country’s citizens. Israeli leaders, alone, must assess Israel’s military abilities, anti-missile and civil defenses, and estimate the effectiveness and cost of any preemptive action. At the same time, they must weigh the risk of giving more time to sanctions and diplomacy while the Iranians enrich more uranium and transfer their nuclear program into fortified bunkers that are beyond our reach. Most onerously, they must calculate the time remaining before Iran can pose those multiple existential threats. “The relevant question is not when Iran will get the bomb,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently told the UN. “The relevant question is at what stage can we no longer stop Iran from getting the bomb.”

That question, Netanyahu explained, can only be answered by drawing a red line across the only observable – and vulnerable – component of Iran’s nuclear program: enrichment. By persuading the ayatollahs that they cannot achieve a single bomb’s worth of highly enriched uranium, the world will signal the credibility of its military threat. That, in turn, will give more time for sanctions and diplomacy to work. Rather than dragging our allies into a war, the red line will deter Iran and so lessen the chances of a military conflict.

True, Americans are viewing their world through an electoral lens, but they are nevertheless united in their determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Indeed, the Senate recently reiterated that conviction by voting 90-1 to rule out any containment of those capabilities. It’s also true that Israelis view their world through the dark glass of Iranian nuclearization, and while that prism might refract their opinions, they agree that time is limited. By marking a clear red line now, we will gain time to explore further diplomatic options, intensify sanctions, and reinforce military credibility.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 11

(8)
Anonymous,
October 16, 2012 7:57 AM

Timeframe of a year

We are going to see what will happen within roughly a year. It is most likely going to be over end of summer next year.
I doubt that any country will mind even with words a military action against Iran when it crosses that line drown for peace not war, as stated infront of the UN.

(7)
Stephane luako Lombo,
October 15, 2012 2:53 PM

Drawing the Red Line

To my view the statment by the Prime Minister Benyamin Netenyahu was very important and clear and straightforward:
It was important to take the world as the witness through the United Nations (now the International Community will not be able to say they did not know what was happening)
Second for Iranians who are continuing to claim they all peaceful Saddam consealed his military nuclear programme,never got through it. Saddam Never realised his hidden agenda.
Israel should not fall into desperate plan get israel into a trap to create a domino effect in the region.
Israel needs to be more INNOVATIVE and CREATIVE to smash and quash Iran plans.
Mr.Stephane luako Lombo
Kinshasa-DRCONGO

(6)
Jaime,
October 15, 2012 3:02 AM

Israel vs Iran

Back in November 2011 an uranium concentration plant in Sfahan, Iran, was destroyed. Also a long range missile facility was destroyed. At the same time four weapon storage areas were destroyed in Lebanon. All this took place without ground troops, missiles or air force. Israeli general Gantz referred to unatural events. Obama forced Israel to discontinue this progam.

minnesota,
October 16, 2012 3:50 AM

pinecreekranch@aol.com

Obama is a POOR LEADER, he has no right to dictate to any country what to give up. Israel has the obligation to defend itself, with the arab rhetoric you must have some ability to respond to this or who knows what they will do, ultimately these guys are crazy, endorsing murder like the shooting their own 14 year old girls and then pretending to be upset, And the arab people, if there were any decent ones living in a free nation, would be marching in the streets demanding every religious leader resign. I am disgusted by Obama's apologizing to terrorists for murdering our diplomats, who is he to demand anything, he is spineless!!!

kate b,
October 16, 2012 7:07 AM

Yes, and Obama admin had 2 influential reps in NY at time of UN summit and both were no shows

If Obama admin (or any other, including UK) think that this issue is unimportant then there is no need to listen to them. Any admin which are so equivocal must not be listened to. Unfortunately, Israel truly is on her own; the canary in the coal mine for the rest of us. Although, Iran is the sabre rattler, the threat you can see and hear, the real danger comes from the blind spots on the peripheries, maybe different heads, but same, shared heart.

(5)
Anonymous,
October 14, 2012 10:51 PM

Could it all be a trap?

I am a friend of Israel, but I fear for her. For Israel to attack Iran is exactly what Iranian leaders want. For if she attacks a country without physical provocation and injures or kills many, the whole world will have to condemn her actions ... and will!! This will also give Iran legitimate reason for retaliation. This will be the end of Israel. Many countries have nuclear weapons including Israel, but only one has ever used one against another country ... I hope and pray that Israel will put her faith and trust in God, not the wisdom of man.

(4)
Chris Rettenmoser,
October 14, 2012 8:18 PM

Attack NOW !

A red line means nothing...the illegal Iranian nuke installations MUST be attacked NOW !

rafael,
October 15, 2012 4:33 PM

i cannot agree more. what good is drawing a line in the sand if when crossed nothing is done anyway

Like in the times of exodus. Joshua was not afraid to do as Has em commanded and. Pray to our G-d then do as He says-

(3)
Dvirah,
October 14, 2012 5:42 PM

Backing Up the Red Line

I'll say it very bluntly: Obama refused to "set a red line" or issue an ultimatum to Iran because he does not have the resources to enforce it. The US military is already streched too thin. (Now let the US prove me wrong.)
Israel, with G-d's help, does have a resource. May we have the wisdom to use it. (And no, I do not mean atomic or nuclear weapons of her own.)

(2)
Lori Crilley,
October 14, 2012 4:02 PM

Elect a man who sees the threat

Romney needs to be elected in November. Vice President Biden, in the VP debate, stated that Iran has no weapons that they could attach nuclear warheads to. Hmmmm. Seems like either he has no clue about what is actually going on or the Obama Administration really has no concern for the future of Israel. I personally feel both are true. Governor Romney firmly believes that Israel must survive - that the future of humanity depends on it.

(1)
Brian,
October 14, 2012 2:24 PM

Mossad et al.

The best thing for us to do, I think, would be for the Mossad to collaborate with our CIA and both work with anti-clerical Iranians inside Iran and thereby get agents inside the plant which is inside the mountain just outside of their holy city of Qom so that those agents can arrange to blow the top off that mountain as they (hopefully with minimal traces if any) blow the enemy's nuclear plant to hell! Anyone think that would have the ayatollahs thinking again? I do.

This year during Chanukah I will be on a wilderness survival trip, and it will be very difficult to properly celebrate the holiday. I certainty won't be able to bring along a Menorah.

So if I am going to celebrate only one day of Chanukah, which is the most significant?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

If a person can only celebrate one day of Chanukah, he should celebrate the first day.

This is similar to a case where a person is in prison, and the authorities agree to permit him to go to synagogue one day. The law is that he should go at the first opportunity, and not wait for a more important day like the High Holidays.

The reason is because one should not allow the opportunity of a mitzvah to pass. Moreover, it is quite conceivable that circumstances will later change and allow for additional observance. Therefore, we do not let the first chance pass. (Sources: Code of Jewish Law OC 90, Mishnah Berurah 28.)

As an important aside, Chanukah candles must be lit in (or at the entrance to) a home rather than out of doors. Thus, you should not light in actual "wilderness," but only after you've pitched your tent for the night.

There may be another reason why the first night is the one to focus on. Chanukah is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the one-day supply of oil that miraculously burned for eight days. But if you think about it, since there was enough oil to burn naturally for one night, nothing miraculous happened on that first night! So why shouldn't Chanukah be just seven days?!

There are many wonderful answers given to this question, highlighting the special aspect of the first day. Here are a few:

1) True, the miracle of the oil did not begin until the second day, and lasted for only seven days. But the Sages designated the first day of Chanukah in commemoration of the miraculous military victory.

2) Having returned to the Temple and found it in shambles, the Jews had no logical reason to think they would find any pure oil. The fact that the Maccabees didn't give up hope, and then actually found any pure oil at all, is in itself a miracle.

3) The Sages chose Chanukah, a festival that revolves around oil's ability to burn, as the time to teach the fundamental truth that even so-called "natural" events take place only because God wants them to.

The Talmudic Sage Rabbi Chanina Ben Dosa expressed this truth in explaining a miracle that occurred in his own home. Once, his daughter realized that she had lit the Shabbos candles with vinegar instead of oil. Rabbi Chanina calmed her, saying, "Why are you concerned! The One Who commanded oil to burn, can also command vinegar to burn!" The Talmud goes on to say that those Shabbos lights burned bright for many hours (Taanit 25a).

To drive this truth home, the Sages decreed that Chanukah be observed for eight days: The last seven to commemorate the miracle of the Menorah, and the first to remind us that even the “normal” burning of oil is only in obedience to God's wish.

In closing, I'm not sure what's stopping you from celebrating more than one day? At a minimum, you can light one candle sometime during the evening, and that fulfills the mitzvah of Chanukah - no “official Menorah” necessary. With so much joy to be had, why limit yourself to one night only?!

In 165 BCE, the Maccabees defeated the Greek army and rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Finding only one jar of pure oil, they lit the Menorah, which miraculously burned for eight days. Also on this day -- 1,100 years earlier -- Moses and the Jewish people completed construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that accompanied them during 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Tabernacle was not dedicated, however, for another three months; tradition says that the day of Kislev 25 was then "compensated" centuries later -- when the miracle of Chanukah occurred and the Temple was rededicated. Today, Jews around the world light a Chanukah menorah, to commemorate the miracle of the oil, and its message that continues to illuminate our lives today.

A person who utilizes suffering to arouse himself in spiritual matters will find consolation. He will recognize that even though the suffering was difficult for him, it nevertheless helped him for eternity.

When you see yourself growing spiritually through your suffering, you will even be able to feel joy because of that suffering.

They established these eight days of Chanukah to give thanks and praise to Your great Name(Siddur).

Jewish history is replete with miracles that transcend the miracle of the Menorah. Why is the latter so prominently celebrated while the others are relegated to relative obscurity?

Perhaps the reason is that most other miracles were Divinely initiated; i.e. God intervened to suspend the laws of nature in order to save His people from calamity.

The miracle of the Menorah was something different. Having defeated the Seleucid Greek invaders, the triumphant Jews entered the Sanctuary. There they found that they could light the Menorah for only one day, due to a lack of undefiled oil. Further, they had no chance of replenishing the supply for eight days. They did light the Menorah anyway, reasoning that it was best to do what was within their ability to do and to postpone worrying about the next day until such worry was appropriate. This decision elicited a Divine response and the Menorah stayed lit for that day and for seven more.

This miracle was thus initiated by the Jews themselves, and the incident was set down as a teaching for all future generations: concentrate your efforts on what you can do, and do it! Leave the rest to God.

While even our best and most sincere efforts do not necessarily bring about miracles, the teaching is nevertheless valid. Even the likelihood of failure in the future should not discourage us from any constructive action that we can take now.

Today I shall...

focus my attention on what it is that I can do now, and do it to the best of my ability.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...